@DavidMorganLLB

June 23rd, 2011

Employment Lawyer and Accredited Mediator

Today we’re tweeting with @DavidMorganLLB, UK employment lawyer, accredited mediator, and one of The Lawyer’s Hot 100 for 2010

@DavidMorganLLB, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @DavidMorganLLB?
Hi. I’m an employment law partner and head of the dispute resolution department @BurnessLLP. I’m an accredited mediator too.
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Tell us about your law practice.
@BurnessLLP is a full service commercial law firm with offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland
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What type of clients do you represent?
Mainly large employers UK-wide. Commercial and public sectors. We’re big in media, retail and leisure
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And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Challenge of keeping up-to-date with developments in a fast-moving field: Age discrimination and retirement are hot topics
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What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I ask to visit their workplace for a tour. It’s so important to understand how their staff work, so I can shape my advice
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That makes a lot of sense. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I defended an employer from protective award claims following redundancies. Value circa £1M (Big for #ukemplaw!) 1/2
2/2 There were multiple union-backed claims. High stakes. We successfully resolved them at judicial mediation in London
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Why do your clients hire you?
I’m told responsiveness and client focus sets us apart @BurnessEmplaw. Relationships are important to #HR professionals
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What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
2 years ago – redundancies. Last year – Tribunal claim surge. This year – more positive: projects, training and deal support
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How is social media affecting employer / employee relations in the UK? Is the law evolving in response?
Most clients now embrace it. But, for some, still a fear-factor as #HR see how it can go wrong by employee misuse at work
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Indeed. Your firm is part of the Employment Law Alliance. What does that mean for your clients? For your firm?
Hugely important. ELA gives us a global reach to ‘best in breed’ employment lawyers around the world ~ http://t.co/6uA2D8K
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How has the economic crisis “changed the game” with respect to employment law? Is it changed for good?
Redundancies etc. raised the profile/ importance of our practice area. UK Govt now proposing employment law reform 1/2
2/2 Flipside is (as in other practice areas) economics mean that clients are managing legal spend and doing more themselves
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How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
“I’m a job law expert”… That usually gets the party started! *sarcastic tabloid face*
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:-) You recently began blogging @ Defero Blog (http://bit.ly/kwo8Ye). Why did you start? Are you meeting your goals?
Yes. I find the style of blogging liberating: colloquial and great way to get your personality across in opinion pieces
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Besides blogging and Twitter, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use to market your practice? How effective are they?
I’m a major proponent of LinkedIn. I run a LI Group for #HR professionals ~ http://t.co/JY48bYm >400 members and rising!
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Congrats! Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
Yes. My team and I have picked up 5 new client instructions thru LinkedIn. @BurnessLLP uses Twitter to recruit too 1/2
2/2 And we launched a free Social Media Policy initiative thru the LI Group. Sent this to >100 new contacts/ target clients
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Innovative use of LI. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Thanks. Tackling the competing interests of a diverse age demographic and addressing work/life balance and flexible working
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What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Competition from external investment in BigLaw via ABS. More knowledge sharing amongst profession & clients. Virtual offices
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What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I grew up in Bermuda, so maybe something in shipping or insurance. Oh … or a superstar DJ ;-)
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:-) How do you want to be remembered?
“Scotland’s leading employment lawyer” #noplaceformodesty #RIP
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What do you do when you’re not working?
My 2 young kids keep me on my toes most of the time! + I’m a huge reggae fan (esp. 70’s/80’s roots, dub and early dancehall)
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What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Keep your skills fresh with research and pro bono. Train in mediation and negotiation skills.
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That brings us to our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Law isn’t everything. Learn about business and soft skills – presentation, negotiation (& sales!)… Enjoy being a student!